Abstract

 
 
 The degree of responsiveness of agricultural supply to input either in the short or long-term production decision is crucial in understanding the role of price and non-price factors in increasing supply. This study analysed output supply and input demand of maize production using a farm survey data of 600 randomly selected maize farmers from all agricultural zones in Kaduna State of Nigeria. Data were analysed using a modified Nerlovian model and set of input demand equations. The results showed that in all estimates (yield and hectarage) long run estimates are greater than the short run values and both were inelastic. The elasticity for lagged own price of maize was 0.23% in the short run and 0.17% in the long run were positive, marginal and inelastic. The hectarage elasticity of supply response for maize is 1.04 in the short run and 0.78 in the long run. The result of the input demand equations showed that the coefficients cost of agrochemical and farm size statistically affect seed, fertilizer and labour demand. The study portrayed that the most critical issues in maize supply are the lack of improved production technology, poor capital investment, land unavailability or poor land tenure system and poor policy incentives. The study recommends that, there is a need for State policy on agricultural research and extension, and adequate input price policies. The government is advised to dissolve the agricultural extension service system to local governments. This will allow agricultural extension system to be more location specific.
 
 
Highlights
Smallholder farmers in Nigeria face the dual problems of food insecurity and poverty
The findings showed the hectarage elasticity of supply response for maize to be 1.03 in the short run and 0.78 in the long run
All estimates long run estimates are greater than the short run values
Summary
Smallholder farmers in Nigeria face the dual problems of food insecurity and poverty. To address these issues, the Federal Government adopted the modern food systems approach through the Agricultural Transformation Agenda (ATA) in 2012. Of particular interests are agricultural value chains (AVCs) that link production with processing, storage, marketing, distribution and consumption of agricultural products (Mulford, 2013; Ajani and Igbokwe, 2014). The transformation action plan was to be carried out through its value chain, while recognizing the roles of actors and stakeholders along the nodes of the chain, input requirements in achieving production targets, constraints faced and expected output. The main target was to grow the agricultural sectors, generate employment opportunities and achieve economic development (Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, 2011)
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